Internal cake support apparatus and associated methods

ABSTRACT

An internal cake support apparatus comprising: at least a first food-grade member with a connector, the connector configured to be detachably coupled to a corresponding connector of at least one other food-grade member; wherein the internal cake support apparatus is reconfigurable to provide for a plurality of different configurations of rigid internal support frame for supporting a cake.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to an internal cake support apparatus configured to provide a structural support frame for supporting the interior of a cake and particularly a novelty cake.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many bakers desire to produce cakes with a structure and external appearance that cannot be readily obtained without some additional support structure to support the cake in its finished configuration. For example, if the finished cake must be particularly tall, or if upper parts of the cake must be cantilevered out from a lower, or base, portion of the cake, then the edible material from which the cake is comprised may not have sufficient structural strength to be able to maintain the desired configuration without the presence of additional supporting structures.

The need for additional supporting structures is particularly prevalent when a baker desires to produce a novelty cake. It will be appreciated that a novelty cake may be a cake configured to have the appearance of a non-cake item; for example, a novelty cake may appear to be a fictional or cartoon character, a person, an animal or plant, a vehicle or machine, a building, or may comprise an abstract aesthetic creation. It will be further appreciated that such a cake may comprise a variety of different comestible items, such as sponge cake, fruit cake, chocolate, icing, or other confectionary items. Further, it will be appreciated that, while the finished product may comprise a plurality of different comestible items the entire assembly may be described as a cake.

To achieve the desired effect, the additional supporting structure may advantageously be internal to the cake. Alternatively, some components of the supporting structure may be visible, while other components may be concealed within the cake, in the finished product.

It is known to construct an internal support structure for a cake by permanently fixing components together to form a rigid frame. For example, it is known to weld metal components together, or to glue or otherwise permanently fix wooden components together, to form a support structure. Such structures may then be permanently coated in food-grade materials, such as silicone rubber, before being used as a support structure for a novelty cake.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect, there is provided an internal cake support apparatus comprising:

-   -   at least a first food-grade member with a connector, the         connector configured to be detachably coupled to a corresponding         connector of at least one other food-grade member;     -   wherein the internal cake support apparatus is reconfigurable to         provide for a plurality of different configurations of rigid         internal support frame for supporting a cake.

Advantageously, the reconfigurability of the internal cake support apparatus may enable a user to construct different configurations of support frame, for supporting different configurations of novelty cake, from the same food-grade members, without the need for tools or adhesives and without the need for a new set of food-grade members for each new configuration of novelty cake.

The first food-grade member may comprise a plurality of connector elements, each connector element configured to be detachably coupled to a corresponding connector element of other food-grade members.

The first food-grade member may comprise a planar portion, wherein the plurality of connector elements may be located in the planar portion.

The connector elements may be configured to be detachably coupled to other food-grade members such that the other food-grade members may be transversely oriented with respect to the planar portion.

One or more of the connector elements may be located in a first planar surface of the planar portion.

One or more of the connector elements may be located in a second planar surface of the planar portion.

The first food-grade member may comprise a rod, having a first connector element and a second connector element longitudinally spaced apart.

The first food-grade member may comprise a junction, having a third connector element transversely oriented with respect to the longitudinal spacing between the first connector element and the second connector element.

A fourth connector element may be transversely oriented with respect to the longitudinal spacing between the first connector element and the second connector element.

There may be provided an apparatus further comprising:

-   -   a plurality of food-grade members including the first food-grade         member configured to be detachably couplable together in a         plurality of different configurations;     -   wherein, in use, the plurality of coupled food-grade members may         comprise a rigid internal support frame for supporting a cake.

There may be provided an apparatus further comprising:

-   -   a plurality of planar members, each comprising a planar portion         with a plurality of connector elements located in the planar         portion; and     -   at least one rod, having a first connector element and a second         connector element longitudinally spaced apart.

In use, the plurality of planar members may be configured to support a plurality of cake elements on a plurality of different levels.

There may be provided an apparatus further comprising a junction, having a third connector element transversely oriented with respect to a longitudinal spacing between a first connector element and a second connector element.

There may be provided an apparatus further comprising a plurality of junctions.

There may be provided an apparatus comprising a surface configured to engage with an interior of a cake and thereby to support the cake.

Advantageously, providing internal support to a cake may enable the construction of a cake in a configuration, and consequently with an external appearance, that would not be physically possible without an internal support frame given the lack of physical rigidity of cake.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Examples of the invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

FIG. 1a shows a perspective view of an internal cake support apparatus;

FIG. 1b shows a side view of the internal cake support apparatus of FIG. 1 a;

FIG. 2a shows a perspective view of a different configuration, compared to FIG. 1a , of internal cake support apparatus;

FIG. 2b shows a side view of the internal cake support apparatus of FIG. 2 a;

FIG. 3a shows a planar food-grade member, with a plurality of connector elements, that may, in use, form a base for supporting the rest of the internal cake support apparatus;

FIG. 3b shows a planar food-grade member, with a plurality of connector elements, that may, in use, form a lateral support structure for supporting a cake element;

FIG. 4a shows a rod with a connector element at both ends, that may, in use, form part of an internal cake support apparatus;

FIG. 4b shows a rod with a connector element at both ends, that may, in use, form part of an internal cake support apparatus;

FIG. 4c shows a rod with a connector element at both ends, that may, in use, form part of an internal cake support apparatus;

FIG. 4d shows a curved rod, with a connector element at both ends, that may, in use, form part of an internal cake support apparatus;

FIG. 4e shows an adapter configured to connect a hexagonal connector to a circular connector, that may, in use, form part of an internal cake support apparatus;

FIG. 5a shows a right angled rod, or junction, with a connector element at both ends, that may, in use, form part of an internal cake support apparatus;

FIG. 5b shows an obtuse angled rod, or junction, with a connector element at both ends, that may, in use, form part of an internal cake support apparatus;

FIG. 5c shows a T-junction, comprising three connector elements, that may, in use, form part of an internal cake support apparatus;

FIG. 5d shows an oblique T-junction, comprising three connector elements, that may, in use, form part of an internal cake support apparatus;

FIG. 5e shows a junction with four connector elements that may, in use, form part of an internal cake support apparatus;

FIG. 5f shows a four-connector junction part that may form a part of the junction of FIG. 5 e;

FIG. 6a shows a side view of an internal cake support apparatus comprising a plurality of planar members, rods and junctions;

FIG. 6b shows a perspective view of the internal cake support apparatus of FIG. 6a ; and

FIG. 7 shows an internal cake support apparatus in use, supporting a plurality of cake elements configured to comprise a novelty cake.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1a shows an internal cake support apparatus 100 comprising a plurality of reusable food-grade members coupled together in a first configuration to provide an internal support frame for a first configuration of novelty cake. FIG. 1b show an alternative, side, view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1a . The plurality of reusable food-grade members includes a first base 102, a first rod 110, a second rod 120, a third rod 130, a second base 140 and a third base 150.

The first base 102 comprises a planar portion 103 which includes a plurality of connector elements 104, 106. The connector element 104 comprises a depression in the planar portion 103.

The first rod 110 comprises a distal portion 112 with a connector element configured to cooperate with the connector element 106 of the first base 102 such the first rod 110 may be detachably coupled to the first base 102. The coupling shown comprises a simple interference fit between the connector elements of the first base 102 and the first rod 110. It will be appreciated that other types of coupling are possible, for example the connector elements may be provided with cooperating threads such that coupling may be achieved by a screw fit.

Once the first rod 110 has been coupled to the first base 102 a first cake element (not shown; see, e.g. FIG. 7) may be positioned on the planar portion 103 of the first base 102. Depending on the composition of the first cake element it may be possible to press the first cake element down onto the first rod 110 such that the first rod 110 will pierce the first cake element or it may be necessary to first remove a suitable portion of the first cake element to leave a void through which the first rod 110 may pass.

The first rod 110 further comprises a proximal portion 114 with a connector element configured to cooperate with a connector element 148 of a first face of the second base 140. The second base 140 has a second face, opposed to the first face, with a plurality of connector elements 144, 146. A connector element 146 of the second face of the second base 140 is coupled to a distal end of the second rod 120. A second cake element may then be positioned on top of the second face of the second base 140 as described above in relation to the first cake element. In some examples, a portion (not shown) of the second rod 120 may pass through the connection element 146 of the second base 140 and engage with the proximal portion 114 of the first rod 110. This engagement between the first and second rods may advantageously improve the rigidity of the coupling of the second base 140 to both the first rod 110 and the second rod 120. Similarly, in other examples a portion of the first rod 110 may pass through the second base 140 to engage with a portion of the second rod 120.

The proximal end 124 of the second rod 120 is coupled to a connector element 158 of the first face of the third base 150. A connector element 156 of the second face of the third base 150 is coupled to the third rod 130. A third cake element may then be brought into engagement with the second face of the third base 150.

It will be appreciated that further bases and rods could be coupled to the apparatus 100 to provide additional levels for supporting additional cake elements. Once assembled, the cake elements, and any portions of the cake support apparatus that remain exposed may then be coated with icing or other decorative comestibles, to complete the construction of the novelty cake.

FIG. 2a shows a plan view of an internal cake support apparatus 200 comprised of some of the same food-grade members as the apparatus 100 shown in FIGS. 1a and 1b , but arranged in a different configuration. FIG. 2b shows an alternative side view, looking along direction ‘A’ shown in FIG. 2a , of the apparatus of FIG. 2a . Features shown in FIGS. 2a and 2b that are similar to features shown in FIGS. 1a and 1b have been given corresponding reference numerals and will not necessarily be discussed in order to improve the clarity of the disclosure.

The first base 202 of the apparatus 200 comprises a plurality of connection elements 104. A first rod 210 may be coupled to any of the plurality of connection elements. In this example, the first rod 210 is coupled to a first connection element 206, situated in the centre of the first base 202, as in the apparatus of FIGS. 1a and 1b . In addition, a second rod 220 is coupled to a second connection element 208 spaced away from the first connection element 206.

The first rod 210 is further coupled to a first connection element of a first face of a second base 240. The second rod 220 is further coupled to a second connection element of the first face of second base 240. The second base 240 has a second face, opposed to the first face that comprises a plurality of connection elements including a third connection element. The third connection element is coupled to a third rod 230. The third rod 230 is further coupled to a connection element in a first side of a fourth base 250. A second side of the fourth base 250 comprises a plurality of connector elements including a second connector element to which a fourth rod 260 is coupled.

It will be appreciated that, in other examples, further rods and bases may be added to the apparatus of FIGS. 2a and 2b to provide further support structure elements. It will be further appreciated that cake elements may be brought into engagement with the structure as it is built up, as described above in relation to the apparatus 100 of FIGS. 1a and 1b . Similarly, once the rods, plates and cake elements have been assembled, the entire structure may be coated with icing to produce the novelty cake.

An advantage provided by the plurality of food-grade members is that a person skilled in the art may rapidly assemble a first novelty cake, including its support frame, without the need for tools or adhesives. Once the first novelty cake has been completed, and/or consumed, a person skilled in the art may quickly and easily dismantle the plurality of food-grade members and, having cleaned them as necessary, may proceed to assemble a second novelty cake, including its support frame, based on a different configuration than the first novelty cake, from the same selection of food grade members. This obviates the need to use welding or carpentry techniques to provide an internal support frame and further avoids the problem of an internal support frame, once constructed, being suitable for supporting only a single configuration of novelty cake.

It will be appreciated that a wide variety of members may be configured to cooperate together to comprise an internal cake support apparatus. The following discloses a variety of different shapes of such members, including a variety of different bases, rods, and junctions. It will be appreciated that these members may comprise a range of different food-grade materials known to persons skilled in the art. In some examples, these members may comprise a food-grade plastic material, such as polypropylene, polyethylene, nylon, polystyrene, polycarbonate or a combination of different food-grade plastic materials. In other examples, these members may comprise food-grade metal material, such as food-grade stainless steel or food-grade anodised aluminium.

FIG. 3a shows a base 300. The base comprises a planar portion 302. The planar portion 302 comprises a first face 304 and opposed to the first face, a second face (not shown). The first face 304 of the planar portion may comprise a plurality of connector elements 306; FIG. 3a shows a total of nine connector elements, but it will be appreciated that the plurality may be at least two, or at least three, or at least four or any convenient whole number of connector elements. The connector elements may be spaced apart from each other across the first face 304 of the planar portion 302 in any convenient arrangement. In some examples, the second face of the planar portion 302 may not contain any connector elements as, in some examples, the base may be configured to accept the connector elements of cooperating food-grade members on the first face 304 only.

FIG. 3b shows a perspective view of a second example of a base 300 b. Similar features of the base 300 b to the base 300 shown in FIG. 3a have been given similar reference numerals and will not necessarily be discussed. The base 300 b comprises a plurality of raised ribs 308 that increase the rigidity and load bearing capability of the base 300 b. The base may further comprise a plurality of connection elements on a second face (not shown) that enable the base to be coupled to other members on both faces of the planar portion 302 b.

It will be appreciated that a base may be any convenient shape, such as round, as shown in FIG. 3a , or square, as shown in FIG. 3b , or rectangular, triangular, hexagonal, polygonal, or any irregular planar shape.

FIG. 4a shows a rod 400 a. The rod 400 a has a first connector element 412 a at a distal end 410 a of the rod 400 a. In some examples (not shown) the first connector element may be threaded. In some examples, the first connector element 412 a may further have a flange element 414 a to provide for improved stability when the rod 400 a is coupled to a base (not shown). The rod 400 a also has a proximal end 420 a space longitudinally with respect to the distal end 410 a. The proximal end 420 a also includes a connector element 422 a that may be detachably coupled to another food grade member. In some examples the connector element 422 a comprises a male connector for insertion into a female connector (not shown) of a cooperating other member. In some examples the connector element 422 a further comprises a female connector 424 a, into which the male connector of a cooperating (not shown) member may be placed. In some examples the female connector 424 a may have an internal hexagonal profile to enable engagement with another hexagonal member (not shown) while inhibiting rotation of the cooperating members with respect to each other. In other examples, other non-rotational connector shapes may be used.

FIG. 4b shows a rod 400 b. Features similar to the rod 400 a shown in FIG. 4a have been given similar reference numerals. The rod has a male connector element 422 b located at its proximal end 420 b. The connector element 422 b may be configured to cooperate with the female connector 424 a of the rod 400 a shown in FIG. 4a . The connector element may also be configured to cooperate with the female connector 424 a through a connector element of a base, as discussed above in relation to FIGS. 1a and 1 b.

FIG. 4c shows a rod 400 c. Features similar to the rod 400 a shown in FIG. 4a have been given similar reference numerals. The rod 400 c may be configured to cooperate with the hexagonal male connector element 422 b of a rod 400 b such as is shown in FIG. 4b . If the rod 400 c is short, it may thereby function as an end cap, configured to engage with another rod in order to clamp a base securely between the two rods while not projecting more than a short distance away from the base.

FIG. 4d shows a rod 400 d. Features similar to the rod 400 a shown in FIG. 4a have been given similar reference numerals. The rod 400 d has a distal end 410 d and a proximal end 420 d. While the respective ends of the rod 400 d are spaced apart along a longitudinal axis, the rod 400 d provides a curved structure that does not completely coincide with a straight longitudinal axis. It will be appreciated that in other examples, a rod may be straight or curved in any configuration. In some examples the rod 400 d may be provided with a male type connector element 412 d at the distal end 410 d and a male type connector element 422 d at the proximal end 420 d. In other examples (not shown) the rod may have a female type connector at both the proximal end and the distal end, or in yet other examples, may have a male connector at one end and a female connector at the other end.

FIG. 4e shows an adapter 400 e configured to enable connection of a rod with a female hexagonal connector to be connected to a base with a circular connector. The adapter 400 e has an outer hexagonal connector portion 430 e which may be connected to a female hexagonal connector by means of an interference fit. The adapter has an inner circular connector portion 432 e which may be connected to a male circular connector. The adapter 400 e also has a circular flange connector portion 432 e configured to be connected to a circular connector element of a base, such as for example the connector element 306 of the base 300 shown in FIG. 3a or the connector element 306 b of the base 300 b shown in FIG. 3b . The circular flange connector portion 432 e may be connected to a base by inserting the portion into a circular connector in the base. Advantageously, the adapter may be connected to the base at any angle since the flange portion is circular. A hexagonal connector may only be connected to the adapter 400 e at one of six different angles. However, by coupling the hexagonal connector to the adapter 400 e a base may then be connected at any angle to the adapter 400 e and thereby at any angle with respect to the hexagonal connector. A rod with a circular male connector may then be coupled to the inner circular connector portion 432 e. Such an arrangement would involve the rod with the hexagonal connector being connected to a first face of the base and the rod with the circular connector being connected to a second opposing face of the base.

It will be appreciated that other types of adapter (not shown) are possible. In some examples an adapter may have an outer circular adapter portion for connection to a circular female adapter and an inner hexagonal adapter portion for connection to a male hexagonal adapter. In other examples, both the inner and outer connectors may be hexagonal. It will be further appreciated that the adapter may be configured to connect to male or female connectors with triangular, square, octagonal or any other symmetry or to a connector with no symmetry.

A plurality of different types of junction may be used to connect a plurality of rods to one another. FIG. 5a shows a two-connector junction 500 a configured to connect two rods together at right angles. The two-connector junction 500 a may also be considered a species of rod, with a distal end 510 a, with a connector element 512 a, and a proximal end 520 a, with a connector element 512 a. The two-connector junction has a body 530 a that orients the connector elements 512 a, 522 a at right angles to one another.

FIG. 5b shows a two-connector junction 500 b, similar to the junction 500 a of FIG. 5a , with similar reference numerals for similar features. The junction 500 b has a body 530 b configured to connect two rods to one another at an oblique angle. It will be appreciated that, in some examples (not shown) this oblique angle may be 180 degrees or less than 180 degrees. It will be further appreciated that in other examples (not shown) the angle may be an acute angle, such as 45 degrees.

FIG. 5c shows a three-connector junction 500 c, configured to connect three separate rods to one another. Features similar to the junctions 500 a, 500 b of FIGS. 5a and 5b have been given similar reference numerals. In addition to a first connector element 512 c at a distal end 510 c, and a second connector element 522 c at a proximal end 520 c, the junction 500 c comprises a third connector element 540 c that is transversely oriented with respect to the first two connector elements. It will be appreciated that, quite generally, transverse orientation with respect to a particular body means any orientation that is not tangent to the particular body. In the rod 500 c the particular transverse orientation is perpendicular to both the first connector element 512 c and the second connector element 522 c.

FIG. 5d shows a three-connector junction 500 d, similar to the three connector junction 500 c shown in FIG. 5c ; similar reference numerals have been used to indicate similar features. In addition to a first connector element 512 d at a distal end 510 d, and a second connector element 522 d at a proximal end 520 d, the junction 500 d comprises a third connector element 540 d that is obliquely oriented with respect to the first two connector elements. It will be appreciated that the oblique orientation may be set at any convenient angle with respect to the other connector elements.

FIG. 5e shows a four-connector junction 500 e, configured to connect four separate rods to one another. Features similar to the junctions 500 a, 500 b, 500 c, and 500 d of FIGS. 5a to 5d have been given similar reference numerals. In addition to a first connector element 512 e at a distal end 510 e, and a second connector element 522 e at a proximal end 520 e, the junction 500 e comprises a third connector element 540 e that is transversely oriented with respect to the first two connector elements and a fourth connector element 550 e that is transversely oriented with respect to the first two connector elements. It will be appreciated that the oblique orientation of the third connector element 540 e may be set at the same angle as the oblique orientation of the fourth connector element 550 e or, in other examples, differing angles may be used.

FIG. 5f shows a perspective view of part of the four-connector junction 500 e shown in FIG. 5e . Similar features have been given similar reference numerals to corresponding features in earlier figures. The part 500 e shown comprises half of a four-junction connector that can be combined with a mirror image part (not shown) to provide a four-junction connector such as that 500 e shown in FIG. 5e . It can be seen that each connector element, for example the first connector element 512 f, will have a hexagonal external profile when combined with its mirror image part. It will be appreciated that other external profiles are possible, such as circular, octagonal, square, triangular, polygonal or other abstract shapes. It can also be seen that in this example, the part 500 f is hollow, with open channels 560 f extending through the interior of the part 500 f. A hollow part may advantageously use less material. In other examples, the junctions may be solid or only partly hollow. In some examples to two mirror image parts may be combined together by a push fitting or in other examples they may be screwed together, glued together or welded together to form the complete junction component.

It will be appreciated that many other configurations of junction are possible. For example, three-connector junctions may be configured in a Y-shaped arrangement, four-connector junctions may be configured in a tetrahedral arrangement, while six-connector junctions may be configured in an octahedral arrangement. It will be appreciated that, generally, the connector elements of any junction may be oriented at any convenient angle relative to any other connector element of the same junction, and that any convenient number of connector elements may be present in any particular junction.

FIG. 6a shows a side view 600 a of an internal cake support apparatus 600, while FIG. 6b shows a perspective view 600 b of the internal cake support apparatus 600 shown in FIG. 6a . Corresponding features in FIGS. 6a and 6b have been given corresponding reference numerals. The apparatus 600 has a first base 610, a second base 620 and a third base 630. Each base is suitable for receiving and supporting a cake element. The apparatus 600 further comprises a plurality of rods 640-654, a three-connector junction 660, a four-connector junction 670, and an end cap 680. The rods 640-654, bases 610-630 and junctions 660, 670 are coupled together so as to form a rigid internal support frame for supporting a novelty cake, in a manner consistent with the disclosure provide above in relation to FIGS. 1a to 5 e.

It will be appreciated that the apparatus 600 shown in FIGS. 6a and 6b comprises just one possible configuration of internal support frame and that a plurality of different configurations of frame are possible, dependent only on the number and type of components available to an end user. By reconfiguring a plurality of components, the user may create support frames suitable for supporting any particular configuration of novelty cake desired by the user.

FIG. 7 shows an example of an internal cake support frame 700 in use, wherein cake elements are shown with dotted lines superimposed on top of an internal support frame similar in shape to the apparatus 600 shown in FIGS. 6a and 6b . The novelty cake of FIG. 7 may comprise a comestible representation of a creature such as a rampant crocodile or dinosaur rearing up on its hind legs.

A first cake element 770, representing the creature's feet, may be supported directly on a first base 710. A second cake element 772, representing the creature's lower body, may be supported directly on a different portion of the first base 710. In some examples the second cake element 772 may comprise a dense material such a fruit cake. A third cake element 774, representing the creature's midsection, may be supported on the second cake element 772. The third cake element 774 may comprise a medium density material such as a sponge cake. A fourth cake element 776, representing the creature's upper body, may be supported on top of the third cake element 774. The fourth cake element may comprise a low density material such as a baked meringue. It will be appreciated that the fourth 776 cake element is also supported laterally by a first rod 720. A fifth cake element 778, representing the creature's tail, may be supported by a second rod 730. The fifth cake element may comprise a hollow chocolate or tuile biscuit cylinder. A sixth cake element 780, representing the creature's lower jaw, may be supported on a second base 740. A seventh cake element 782, representing the creature's upper jaw, and an eighth cake element 784, representing the creature's head, may be supported by a third base 750. Further cake elements 786 may be added to represent the creature's teeth. Such further elements 786 may comprise icing. It will be appreciated that the entire assembly of cake elements and cake support frame may be coated in icing in order to complete the finished novelty cake.

It will be appreciated that any components that are described herein as being coupled or connected could be directly or indirectly coupled or connected. That is, one or more components could be located between two components that are said to be coupled or connected whilst still enabling the required functionality to be achieved.

While embodiments of the present invention has been described in the above specification and illustrated in the appended drawings, the invention is not limited thereto but only by the scope and spirit of the claims which follow. 

I claim:
 1. An internal cake support apparatus comprising: at least a first food-grade member with a connector, the connector configured to be detachably coupled to a corresponding connector of at least one other food-grade member; wherein the internal cake support apparatus is reconfigurable to provide for a plurality of different configurations of rigid internal support frame for supporting a cake.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first food-grade member comprises a plurality of connector elements, each connector element configured to be detachably coupled to a corresponding connector element of other food-grade members.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first food-grade member comprises a planar portion, and wherein the plurality of connector elements are located in the planar portion.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the connector elements are configured to be detachably coupled to other food-grade members such that the other food-grade members are transversely oriented with respect to the planar portion.
 5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein one or more of the connector elements are located in a first planar surface of the planar portion.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein one or more of the connector elements are located in a second planar surface of the planar portion.
 7. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first food-grade member comprises a rod having a first connector element and a second connector element longitudinally spaced apart.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the first food-grade member comprises a junction having a third connector element transversely oriented with respect to the longitudinal spacing between the first connector element and the second connector element.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein a fourth connector element is transversely oriented with respect to the longitudinal spacing between the first connector element and the second connector element.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of food-grade members including the first food-grade member configured to be detachably couplable together in a plurality of different configurations; wherein, in use, the plurality of coupled food-grade members comprise a rigid internal support frame for supporting a cake.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising: a plurality of planar members, each comprising a planar portion with a plurality of connector elements located in the planar portion; and at least one rod having a first connector element and a second connector element longitudinally spaced apart.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein, in use, the plurality of planar members are configured to support a plurality of cake elements on a plurality of different levels.
 13. The apparatus of claims 10, further comprising a junction having a third connector element transversely oriented with respect to a longitudinal spacing between a first connector element and a second connector element.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising a plurality of junctions.
 15. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising a surface configured to engage with an interior of a cake and thereby to support the cake. 